pixistix

The number one thing I can recommend is chewing VERY thoroughly, then waiting a minute or two between bites (especially after the first few).

Also, making sure food is sufficiently "wet" helps me quite a bit. I add salsa, greek yogurt (mixed with Ranch dressing mix), a spritz of low cal salad dressing, etc. to help meat and bulky veggies go down.

Once all your post-op swelling is over, this may not be much of an issue till you have proper restriction.

I personally have never gotten really "stuck." But I have eaten too much too fast and gotten sick from it. It's not the end of the world, but it's not pleasant. I usually do pretty well, but occasionally in an unusual situation, I'll have an issue. Learn from my fail: if you're at a restaurant and you're having a problem, excuse yourself to the restroom until it is resolved. : \

I, too, had almost no post surgical pain. But it is still very important to take it easy after surgery. I overdid it and ended up having my stomach swell, causing terrible nausea for 4-5 days. Kick back relax, drink liquids, follow your doc's advice, no matter how "fine" you feel.

Since then, things are going very well, BTW. Love my band. Best of luck to you!

That's terrific! Keep up the great work.

I had great luck with the Land's End line of all-over control bathing suits. They have some very pretty styles and you can find them online and at Sears. I haven't lost nearly as much as you have, but when my husband saw me in my new size suit he said, "Wow."

I have also had the experience of my band seeming tighter months after my last fill, for no apparent reason. I just chalked it up to the band being fickle.

I think that as we lose weight (and change from exercise too), our insides shift around. Eventually this can result in needing more of a fill, since there's less fat inside pushing on our internal organs. But maybe sometimes it just means the band feels tighter....

As long as it's not too tight and you're not getting stuck more than usual, and you can still eat and drink okay, it doesn't sound like a problem. Do check with your doc, but you're probably okay.

If the doc says anything interesting about this, be sure and let us know!

My surgeon gives me a little numbing shot first, so I don't feel the fill at all. The numbing shot stings for a second. Also, he has me lying down on my back while he does the fill, so there's no risk of fainting.

Did your doc specifically tell you not to eat solids BEFORE a fill? Every doctor is different, but mine doesn't have any requirements for beforehand. He says to "take it easy" for the rest of the day afterwards.

One thing that happened to me after my second fill, I was fine for a day and a half right after the fill. Then all of a sudden the band felt really tight the next day. So take it easy for a few days after a fill. Chew very well, wait a minute or two between bites to see how you feel. As it gets fuller and fuller, you'll start to see what it really feels like to have a band. It's an adjustment, but well worth the small hassle.

P.S. I've even suddenly felt very tight TWO WEEKS after a fill! Why? I have no idea! The band can be fickle, but I love it anyway....

When I was reading up on the subject, I read that moisture and massage help, but not much else makes a difference. After they're healed, massage your scars with any type of lotion or aloe a couple of times a day. Mine have faded nicely to white.

One other suggestion, at least for the short term, is to just go to bed earlier. I have done this out of desperation before and it worked well.

Sometimes it's just not feasible, but if it is a possibility for you, try it. Take a warm bath, get in your jammies and read a chapter of a book, and hit the hay by 9 or 10. More sleep helps with weight loss anyway.

Wow, this is happening to me too. I thought it was just peri-menopause (I'm 46). I hadn't connected it to weight loss, until now. Interesting....

I've also heard that you have to wait at least a year AFTER you're completely done losing weight to see exactly where your skin is going to end up. It takes time to snap back. A lot depends on age, genetics, etc.

In the mean time, weight training can really help make positive physical changes to the underlying structure. It takes time to get used to these changes. It can be a major adjustment.

There's nothing wrong with a one piece bathing suit. She's much much healthier and likely a lot more comfortable now. Be supportive. Tell her how beautiful and sexy you find her.

I've noticed that since I've been banded I have really strong cravings and hunger during PMS time. I never noticed it before because I was never NOT hungry and craving. But now it only drives me crazy right before my period.

I just try to be really vigilant about small healthy Snacks mid morning and mid afternoon, and then sticking to what I've planned for lunch and dinner. Maybe throw in an extra Protein shake. Drink lots of Water.

The cravings will pass and you'll feel really good about resisting them.

Good luck!

I calculated my BMI today and I'm no longer morbidly obese. I'm just regular obese. Woo hoo!

"Overweight" here I come! LOL

Yeah, that sounds like pretty extreme restriction. Did you just recently have a fill? Maybe you're having some temporary swelling from a recent fill. Otherwise....

The problem I would have with this level of restriction is that I would get so frustrated that I would turn to high calorie "slider" foods and end up having ice cream for dinner....

The most I ever have to wait between bites is 3-5 minutes. And that's if it's a very bread-like texture food.

I eat 100 calorie dark chocolate bar from Trader Joe's (but just one!). The way I see it, this has to be a sustainable lifestyle that I can live with for the rest of my life. I'm not willing to never eat chocolate again. I want slow, steady weight loss and a healthy life. So far, so good.

http://organicsusana.com/images/1266071547775-843219552.jpeg

I'm not sure how much total fill you have, but I do wonder if you could use some more. It could help. What does your doc say? In my experience, having proper restriction made all the difference.

One thing that helps me with Portion Control at meal times is having a small, nutritious snack mid-morning and mid-afternoon. If I let myself get too hungry, something goes haywire and I really lose my ability to make good decisions. A few nuts, a piece of fruit, some cheese or yogurt, a Protein shake or bar, etc. can really help.

Also: you mention walking and biking, but how about some strength training to kick-start weight loss? Muscle tissue burns more calories day and night than any other, and it can really help to build even a little bit of muscle. If you don't have access to a gym, try sit-ups, wall push-ups, etc. Plus it can be a big psychological boost to see positive physical changes.

Good luck and DON'T GIVE UP!

One of the reasons I love the Lap Band is that the days of shame over cheating on a diet are OVER.

Shaunt, you're only a month in. You don't even have proper restriction yet (and it likely will be a while before you do). Give yourself a break. It's time to focus on the positive. Good nutrition, exercise, positive attitude.

Read a book on nutrition if you could use more info. (For example, "SuperFoods Rx" by by Steven G. Pratt MD is my fave.) If you have plenty of the good stuff on hand, you'll have less room for junk. At the same time, allow yourself a little of what you like even if it's "bad." Sweet tooth? A couple of squares of dark chocolate will hit the spot. Love bread? You need whole grains -- eat wheat bread (while you still can!).

As soon as your doc clears you to exercise, start. If you belong to a gym, do weight training, swimming, whatever appeals to you. Building lean muscle mass will burn calories day and night.

If you can't get to a gym right now, do sit-ups, wall push-ups, etc. at home. Go for a 10 minute walk and build from there. Exercise of any kind can be a terrific boost for mood and motivation. It really makes a big difference for me.

No need to beat yourself up any more. Once the band really starts working (with fills), you likely won't have irresistible cravings and endless appetite nearly as bad. It takes some getting used to eating 1 Cup of food at a sitting (if you're anything like me), but once it becomes a habit and you have proper restriction, SUCCESS is well on its way! Perfection not needed.

Good luck to you!

I'm sorry you're having to jump through all these hoops. I had to do the 6 month supervised weight loss program too. And it had to be documented by my primary care physician.

So make an appointment with your doc asap. Tell him/her you started weight watchers or whatever (see if they need paperwork or proof of some kind). Get this process started YESTERDAY. The clock is ticking. You want to get that 6 months started right away.

Because here's the thing: six months are going to pass anyway. You can be doing what you need to do to get this surgery. Or six months from now you can still be frustrated. Take care of it. The time will go by and you will get your surgery.

The determination, guts and persistence you need to get it done will serve you well once you have your band.

Good luck to you!

YES!! I've been doing some "shopping" in the back of the closet too. I have barely had to buy any new clothes yet, because I have so many things I stopped wearing long ago or never wore at all!

I love you, Lap Band!

I'm not sure about the details of your situation, but it did occur to me that if you're physically uncomfortable after eating, a small unfill might help. For me, I have found that I need to strike a balance between good restriction and still being able to eat. If I can hardly eat anything, I get so frustrated that I want to binge on ice cream (which WILL go down!).

Other than that, my get-back-on-track, back-to-basics regimen includes:

* Drinking a Protein shake for Breakfast (I have trouble with solid food in the morning)

* Having a small, healthy mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack

* Bringing a healthy lunch with me to work so I'm not tempted to go out to fast food (which is my kryptonite)

* Focusing on "superfoods" (From "SuperFoods Rx" by Steven G. Pratt). I couldn't possibly eat as much of this healthy stuff as he suggests each day, so I figure there's less room for junk.

* Eating at least 70 grams of Protein per day

* Drinking plenty of Water

* Taking a daily chewable adult multi Vitamin and Calcium supplement

* Exercise, especially strength training (this is a miracle worker for my mood and motivation, as well as weight loss). If you can't get to a gym, walk around the block, do sit-ups and wall push-ups at home.

* Journaling -- write about your feelings, maybe consider a support group or therapy. It could help.

Best of luck to you.

I have lost almost 50 pounds so far -- about half of my ultimate goal. I'm still getting used to being thinner. Some days I feel like Olive Oyl and some days I still feel heavy.

One thing that really helps me is strength training. That makes a very noticeable, positive difference in my body. My skin may not be perfect, but a little muscle sure looks good. It's great for my mood and motivation too. Bonus: muscle tissue burns more calories night and day than any other kind, so it also helps with weight loss. Going to the gym or even just doing sit-ups and wall push-ups at home makes a big difference.

Best of luck to you!

I certainly don't claim to have your answer, but perhaps if you posted a little more info others could give more accurate feedback. What do your typical meals/snacks for the day look like? What kind of exercise are you doing? How often? Do you keep track of amounts of Protein, Fiber and Water?

As far as getting hungry goes, for me, a small healthy mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack are absolutely essential.

Also, I make sure to do weight training because muscle tissue burns more calories all day long, not just when exercising.

You're doing great. Keep doing the right things and you'll get there.

I did a mini version of this over Easter weekend.

This morning, I'm back to a Protein shake for Breakfast, healthy snack mid morning, tuna and whole wheat crackers for lunch, etc. Going to the gym tonight.

I feel more hungry than usual, but that's it. I'm not punishing myself. I made a choice. I'm always free to make a different choice at any time. Back on the horse.

I try to avoid the old "all or nothing" perfectionist thinking. I don't have to be perfect. If I make one little slip the whole day (week, month, year) isn't ruined (so I might as well go hog wild). I just get back to basics and do what's good for me.

Frankly, I felt pretty crappy from eating all that crap. I'm glad I'm back on track now and will be feeling better shortly.

Good luck to you.

A recliner if possible or pillows situated on the couch or bed so you can lie back and rest.

Please rest and take it easy for SEVERAL days following surgery no matter how fine you feel. I had almost no pain, so I tried going back to work too early (after 3 days). I overdid it and boy did I regret it!

I was very, very nauseated for almost a week. Learn from my fail and take it easy!

Absolutely. I was very scared. Bariatric surgery is a drastic step, but it is helping me do what I never could on my own in 30 years of trying to lose weight. It isn't always easy, but for me it has definitely been worth it.

I would recommend getting lots of emotional support: check out the support group meetings in your area, consider seeing a therapist if you don't already, boards like this, journaling, supportive friends, etc.

Good luck to you and take care,

Pixistix

Here are my best tips:

* Be patient with yourself until you have good restriction. Try to focus on healthy food and exercise rather than the scale during "bandster hell". It can be a frustrating time, but it doesn't last.

* Once you're on regular foods, Snacks are my secret weapon. I make sure to always eat a small healthy snack mid-morning and mid-afternoon. That way I don't get too hungry and go crazy at meal times. A few almonds, some yogurt, string cheese, a piece of fruit, whatever. It helps more than anything else, because when I let myself get too hungry my judgment becomes impaired. Suddenly I'm "starving" and all I want is fast food.

* I can't get solid food down in the morning, so I drink a Protein shake for Breakfast every day. I really like "Pure Protein" chocolate shakes from Trader Joe's (or other health food stores or online). They have 35 grams of Protein and are pretty decent tasting in my opinion.

* Fast food is my enemy. No matter what, I try to avoid it like death. Anything I make at home (no matter how unhealthy) is better than fast food. Fast food makes me gain weight, always.

* Exercise helps me immensely with mood and motivation, in addition to just being all around wonderful for you. Strength training, especially, is great because muscle tissue burns more calories (all day long, even while you're sleeping) than regular tissue. Even if it's just sit-ups and wall push-ups at home, and walking around the block, exercise is terrific.

* If you make a wrong turn, don't despair. Every day (every hour!) is a new chance to get up, brush yourself off, and get back on track. Perfectionistic, all-or-nothing thinking has been a liability for me. I will always make missteps. I just try to focus on getting back to the basics that work for me. Small healthy meals, small healthy Snacks, lots of protein, lots of Water, go to the gym. Plenty of sleep, etc. Taking good care of myself is a new thing for me and it takes some practice to get consistently good at it.

The reason I consider myself inspiring is that I have had a pretty hard time sticking to anything remotely considered a "diet." I try to eat healthy stuff, but I screw up all the time. I eat sweets. Fast food is my kryptonite. I don't get to the gym as often as I'd like. And yet I'm making slow, steady progress. I know for a fact that I never ever would have lost nearly 50 pounds without the band. I'm 4 pounds away from "onederland." My husband calls me "Skinny Bones Jones." I even feel a distinct improvement in my overall mood (I've suffered from debilitating depression my whole life).

And the better things get, the more motivated I feel. I eat better because I don't need to "fix" crushing depression with food. I can get around better so I'm happier doing active things. It's like an upward spiral -- the better things get, the more I do to make them even better. I'm in this for the long haul. It's a good life.

Best of luck to you.